Although more residential construction has occurred in America during the last few decades than in any comparable period in history, the United States is facing a housing crisis of alarming proportions. Costs of developed land, building materials, and labor, plus extremely high interest rates have severely limited homeownership possibilities for all but the most affluent. In addition, each year brings new constraints to builders and developers in the form of governmental regulations, which invariably add to the total housing cost.

In addition to the added construction cost of each regulation, in many areas, a corresponding proliferation of governmental agencies and bureaucratic procedures have created a confusing network of approvals that are extremely time consuming and costly, ultimately to the home buyer. Outdated, conflicting, and complicated codes and standards, environmental issues and requirements, and energy conservation issues all add to the dilemma-and to the cost-of home ownership.

This report is part of the collection of scanned historical documents available to the public.